Dance Marathon 29 makes triumphant in-person return

After two years, Dance Marathon returned to an in-person event

At the end of the event, the final amount raised was announced: $1,174,008.29.

After two years, Dance Marathon 29 marked a return to an in-person event inside the Iowa Memorial Union. Photo by Justin Torner

Dance Marathon 29

Executive director of Dance Marathon Raginya Handoo addresses attendees of DM29.

Families make their entrances to the IMU for DM29 and kiddos give high fives.

This year's morale captains make their DM29 debut with the morale dance.

Herky's cousin, Perky, joins the big event to cheer on the kids.

Dr. Alexander Bassuk, physician-in-chief and chair of pediatrics at UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital, does a cartwheel on a challenge for a donation.

The Tate Schaefer family addresses Dance Marathon 29

Energy was high during this year's Dance Marathon as it marked the return to an in-person event for the first time in two years.

The Morale Captains Dance on stage during Dance Marathon 29.

Glowsticks, loud music, and fog set the mood for dancers during DM29.

Herky crowdsurfs during Dance Marathon 29.

Dance Marathon is an event where you can dance like nobody is watching.

At the halfway point, Bon Jovi’s ‘Livin on a Prayer’ blasted through the speakers.

A woman in a cowboy hat dances along during Dance Marathon 29.

A couple looks on the dancing crowd during Dance Marathon 29.

During its 29 years, Dance Marathon has raised over $34 million families and kids battling cancer.

A child sits on her dad's shoulders during Dance Marathon 29.

For 24 hours, Dance Marathon participants are encouraged to not sit, sleep, or consume caffeine to celebrate the kids who beat cancer, support those who are still battling, and remember those who have passed.

The kids and teens dance brought this kiddo on stage to off show his moves.

Dance Marathon DJ Inzane announced this will be his final Dance Marathon as he plans to retire.

By: Office of Strategic Communication | 2023.02.07 | 12:34 pm

Last weekend, University of Iowa’s Dance Marathon 29 raised $1,174,008.29 to provide emotional and financial support for pediatric oncology and bone marrow transplant patients and their families treated at UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital. The event took place in the Iowa Memorial Union.

UI Dance Marathon is the largest student organization on campus and the third-largest Children’s Miracle Network Dance Marathon in the country. This year’s event marked a return to an in-person format after two years of virtual events due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This photo gallery from UI photographers Justin Torner and Tim Schoon captured the excitement and activities that took place in the IMU over the weekend.

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UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital